Operation IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
The Backstory: I've been watching Craigslist for months, maybe even over a year. I've gone out to see some Jeeps, only to arrive in time to see money exchange hands. It's been frustrating. This weekend was especially bad, with 2 Jeeps snatched out from under me. I decided to check out the Craigslist one last time for the weekend and saw a '96 XJ 4x4 pop up! I immediately called and made arrangements to see it. As soon as I saw it and heard the engine, I gave the guy an offer. Unfortunately, it was $800 less than his asking price. He was slightly hesitant, but he accepted! It was a steal at $2500! Now, I know in other parts of the country, you'll say I spent way too much. I disagree. Here in SoCal, I've seen a '91 fetch $4000 and an '01 go for $9800. This Jeep was priced at $3300 and I think that was a fair price to ask. Check this out:

The Good: It has less than 500 miles on a 3" Rusty's spring pack (no blocks) lift with upgraded Bilstien 5150 shocks and 30x9.50x15 Toyo ATs. It has a new hi-flow cat and new rear brake cylinders. I have a receipt that showed the guy just spent $1000 on the shocks, tires, & brakes alone and it doesn't include the price of the lift.
The Bad: There's a clunking/rattling/creaking coming from the back. I thought it was a badly aligned liftgate (still might be), but the shackles are definitely part of the problem. The clearcoat is a mess and there's some light surface rust on the roof. The ABS comes on and stays on after the Jeep starts moving & the left front fender is a bit banged up.
The Plan: Well, I was going to get a 3" lift, but that's already done. I'll get a bumper from Logan's Metal Products (see below) & replace the left front fender. I was going to trim the fenders, but maybe I'll wait until it's time to get new (bigger) tires. (Since these are new tires, it may be awhile.) I'll get a roof cage and some black steelies as soon as I can. I've got a 99+ intake manifold & will get the Neon injectors and bored TB. Maybe even new headers. Definitely a Borla exhaust. But I'd like your opinion on something...

The Question: I want to paint this soon, seeing as how there's rust up top. I want a light color as it's really the only option in a desert environment. I can either go white or I can get mil-spec non-reflective desert tan. I can't make up my mind! If I go white, I can tool around town and not feel too out of place, as I wear a suit to work and this will be a daily driver. But there are plenty of white jeeps out there! If I go desert tan, it will look like a tactical vehicle, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I think I might look too military fanboy-ish. (I'm in the reserves, so I might get some ribbing from the guys for it.) So yeah, I thought I'd see what y'all think. I probably won't paint for a month or two anyway.
I'm stoked to finally have my Jeep XJ 4x4! I've had an XJ 4x2 since '98 and it's great and all, but not quite where I want it to be.

The Good: It has less than 500 miles on a 3" Rusty's spring pack (no blocks) lift with upgraded Bilstien 5150 shocks and 30x9.50x15 Toyo ATs. It has a new hi-flow cat and new rear brake cylinders. I have a receipt that showed the guy just spent $1000 on the shocks, tires, & brakes alone and it doesn't include the price of the lift.
The Bad: There's a clunking/rattling/creaking coming from the back. I thought it was a badly aligned liftgate (still might be), but the shackles are definitely part of the problem. The clearcoat is a mess and there's some light surface rust on the roof. The ABS comes on and stays on after the Jeep starts moving & the left front fender is a bit banged up.
The Plan: Well, I was going to get a 3" lift, but that's already done. I'll get a bumper from Logan's Metal Products (see below) & replace the left front fender. I was going to trim the fenders, but maybe I'll wait until it's time to get new (bigger) tires. (Since these are new tires, it may be awhile.) I'll get a roof cage and some black steelies as soon as I can. I've got a 99+ intake manifold & will get the Neon injectors and bored TB. Maybe even new headers. Definitely a Borla exhaust. But I'd like your opinion on something...

The Question: I want to paint this soon, seeing as how there's rust up top. I want a light color as it's really the only option in a desert environment. I can either go white or I can get mil-spec non-reflective desert tan. I can't make up my mind! If I go white, I can tool around town and not feel too out of place, as I wear a suit to work and this will be a daily driver. But there are plenty of white jeeps out there! If I go desert tan, it will look like a tactical vehicle, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I think I might look too military fanboy-ish. (I'm in the reserves, so I might get some ribbing from the guys for it.) So yeah, I thought I'd see what y'all think. I probably won't paint for a month or two anyway.
I'm stoked to finally have my Jeep XJ 4x4! I've had an XJ 4x2 since '98 and it's great and all, but not quite where I want it to be.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 415
Likes: 1
From: New Alexandria, PA
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre HIGH OUTPUT
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,245
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey (Milltown, Lavallette, and Wayne)
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
What About Silver? http://images01.olx.com/ui/1/59/80/8585980_1.jpg
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